(Chicago – September 20, 2006) – Harrington College of Design digital photography program is hosting “The Holga Challenge” from September 5 through September 19 2006. This photography competition is open to all Harrington students, faculty and staff. The concept was developed by Dirk Fletcher, department chair for the digital photography (DP) program at Harrington.

“While almost all commercial photographers have made the switch from film to digital, students still need to learn how to work with film to develop an appreciation of the differences between the two media,” said Fletcher.

The Holga camera is a very inexpensive, medium format box camera appreciated for its low-fidelity aesthetic. The Holga originated in Hong Kong in 1982 and was originally intended to provide an inexpensive mass-market camera for working-class Chinese in order to record family portraits and events. Known for its bizarre blurring, light leaks and distortions, the camera became popular throughout the world for creating unusual photos. Holga photos have won numerous awards and competitions in art and news photography.

Participants in The Holga Challenge are given a Holga camera loaded with film and have 24 hours to shoot 12 pictures from which to select their one favorite. First semester students from the Harrington DP program will practice their scanner and printer skills to print the 8x10 photos.

“Competitions like this essentially bring the whole school together,” said Matt Wysocki, a Harrington DP student. “What I like about Harrington is that it teaches us all the necessary skills and techniques of commercial digital photography so we can best leverage our own creativity to build a career.”

Chicago professionals affiliated with the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) will judge the entries on October 2, 2006. Selected winners will receive Holga cameras and film.

The Holga Challenge is sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of ASMP, CSW Film Systems of Chicago, Calumet Photographic and Helix Photo.

About Harrington College of Design

Harrington College of Design, committed to creating the next generation of design professionals to lead and serve the global community, is a four-year college that offers flexible scheduling for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, an Associate of Applied Science degree in Interior Design or Digital Photography and a new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design. Founded in 1931, the college celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Located at 200 W. Madison St. , Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students' intellectual and artistic potential. The majority of the faculty are practicing interior designers, architects, photographers and fine art professionals. Harrington is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Harrington is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Harrington is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The College is authorized by that board to confer baccalaureate and associate degrees. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, formerly known as the Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER).

For more information, please visit us at www.harringtoncollege.com.

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